Reading the ongoing coverage from the BBC, I saw this from a few hours ago:
Submersible experts wrote to OceanGate CEO expressing concern
The New York Times has unearthed a
2018 letter sent by submersible experts to Stockton Rush, [PDF link] the CEO of OceanGate...
The letter in the link above is from Marine Technology Society on March 27, 2018, and reads as follows:
Dear Stockton ,
This letter is sent on behalf of our industry members who have collectively expressed unanimous concern regarding the developmentof TITAN and the planned Titanic Expedition. Our apprehension is that the current experimental approach adopted by Oceangate could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry.
The MUV industry has earned itself an enviable safety track record over the past 40 years . This is partly due to the diligent engineering discipline and professional approach exercised by members of the industry, but also due to the collective observation of (and adherence to) a variety of safety standards.
This reputation is solid because it was hard won over many years of diligence application and has resulted in a safe and successful record of operation. Our members are all aware of how important and precious this standing is and deeply concerned that a single negative event could undo this.
Your marketing material advertises that the TITAN design will meet or exceed the DNV-GL safety standards, yet it does not appear that Oceangate has the intention of following DNV- GL class rules. Your representation is, at minimum, misleading to the public and breaches an industry- wide professional code of conduct we all endeavor to uphold.
Sincerely yours,
What is
not known, however, is whether this letter resulted in any changes. I'd be surprised if not, given the timeline. Things can go wrong even with the best planning.
But my guess, even if by some miracle the sub amd occupants can be saved, is that the Oceangate Titanic project is
kaput.